Biomaterial Database

Neuromuscular control of upper airway patency. 1992

B T Thach

Mallinkrodt Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.

To understand medical disorders such as obstructive apnea, or pulmonary aspiration, one must understand the many functions performed by the upper airway. These functions include respiration, airway protection at the face, feeding, and regulation of thoracoabdominal pressure. The neuromuscular mechanisms that perform these functions are complex. Many of the upper airway muscles can be classed as either airway constricting or airway dilating. These muscles regulate upper airway functions by regulating the shape of the upper airway.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007223	Infant	A child between 1 and 23 months of age.	Infants
D007823	Laryngeal Nerves	Branches of the VAGUS NERVE. The superior laryngeal nerves originate near the nodose ganglion and separate into external branches, which supply motor fibers to the cricothyroid muscles, and internal branches, which carry sensory fibers. The RECURRENT LARYNGEAL NERVE originates more caudally and carries efferents to all muscles of the larynx except the cricothyroid. The laryngeal nerves and their various branches also carry sensory and autonomic fibers to the laryngeal, pharyngeal, tracheal, and cardiac regions.	Laryngeal Nerve, Superior,Laryngeal Nerve,Laryngeal Nerves, Superior,Nerve, Laryngeal,Nerve, Superior Laryngeal,Nerves, Laryngeal,Nerves, Superior Laryngeal,Superior Laryngeal Nerve,Superior Laryngeal Nerves
D007830	Larynx	A tubular organ of VOICE production. It is located in the anterior neck, superior to the TRACHEA and inferior to the tongue and HYOID BONE.	Anterior Commissure, Laryngeal,Anterior Commissure, Larynx,Laryngeal Anterior Commissure,Laryngeal Posterior Commissure,Posterior Commissure, Laryngeal,Posterior Commissure, Larynx,Anterior Commissures, Laryngeal,Anterior Commissures, Larynx,Commissure, Laryngeal Anterior,Commissure, Laryngeal Posterior,Commissure, Larynx Anterior,Commissure, Larynx Posterior,Commissures, Laryngeal Anterior,Commissures, Laryngeal Posterior,Commissures, Larynx Anterior,Commissures, Larynx Posterior,Laryngeal Anterior Commissures,Laryngeal Posterior Commissures,Larynx Anterior Commissure,Larynx Anterior Commissures,Larynx Posterior Commissure,Larynx Posterior Commissures,Posterior Commissures, Laryngeal,Posterior Commissures, Larynx
D009130	Muscle, Smooth	Unstriated and unstriped muscle, one of the muscles of the internal organs, blood vessels, hair follicles, etc. Contractile elements are elongated, usually spindle-shaped cells with centrally located nuclei. Smooth muscle fibers are bound together into sheets or bundles by reticular fibers and frequently elastic nets are also abundant. (From Stedman, 25th ed)	Muscle, Involuntary,Smooth Muscle,Involuntary Muscle,Involuntary Muscles,Muscles, Involuntary,Muscles, Smooth,Smooth Muscles
D010614	Pharynx	A funnel-shaped fibromuscular tube that conducts food to the ESOPHAGUS, and air to the LARYNX and LUNGS. It is located posterior to the NASAL CAVITY; ORAL CAVITY; and LARYNX, and extends from the SKULL BASE to the inferior border of the CRICOID CARTILAGE anteriorly and to the inferior border of the C6 vertebra posteriorly. It is divided into the NASOPHARYNX; OROPHARYNX; and HYPOPHARYNX (laryngopharynx).	Throat,Pharynxs,Throats
D012018	Reflex	An involuntary movement or exercise of function in a part, excited in response to a stimulus applied to the periphery and transmitted to the brain or spinal cord.
D012119	Respiration	The act of breathing with the LUNGS, consisting of INHALATION, or the taking into the lungs of the ambient air, and of EXHALATION, or the expelling of the modified air which contains more CARBON DIOXIDE than the air taken in (Blakiston's Gould Medical Dictionary, 4th ed.). This does not include tissue respiration (	Breathing
D001903	Bottle Feeding	Use of nursing bottles for feeding. Applies to humans and animals.	Bottlefed,Bottlefeeding
D003679	Deglutition	The act of taking solids and liquids into the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT through the mouth and throat.	Swallowing,Deglutitions,Swallowings
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man